Out My Write Mind (OMWM) started in 2010 as Facebook posts to relieve myself of the goings on in my mind that were building like a pressure cooker. Like journal writing that I’ve done since high school, writing in the World Wide Web’s open space has been therapeutic. Some have said that I’m crazy and out my mind to reveal such intimate thoughts, especially when posting about depression and suicidal ideations. Not that I wanted to commit the deadly deed: I simply wanted to stop the maddening series of life traumas and troubles I was experiencing. What I call my my “Job Moment.”

As a result of a series of material and family losses, like Job in the Bible, I’d plummeted into a severe depression after losing my job in 2009 (as a Communications Specialist/Writer…wow…right?), then my car, then my house, then three relatives while I was still grieving my father’s and grandfather’s deaths that occurred 2007. I wanted to stop existing from Life in the same way my dad, loved ones, job and home stopped existing for me. I welcomed the darkness and slipped into it. And, I’m glad for it. I stopped fighting the depression and learned to sit still so I could reboot and refresh. No longer a Job Moment, I referred to the state of depression as my Womb and conceived Out My Write Mind.

I’ve often said, “Facebook saved my life.” It gave me another space to communicate publicly. I’d grown tired of performing spoken word, which I’ve done sporadically since 1994. OMWM gave me a Purpose and boosted my writing esteem. I will unashamedly admit that “likes” from friends, family, and even FBFs I’d never met, profited me emotionally, especially after losing my job as a Writer. I was really devastated by that loss.

What I hadn’t expected was that OMWM would inspire and comfort so many other people. Many have inboxed me to thank or applaud me for sharing real, non-cliche´ and relatable experiences and insights about chronic depression, stress, grief and anxiety — and confusion. My Job Moment mirrored a lot of lives shaken up from this recent economic depression as if experiencing PTSD after an earthquake. For many of us, the floor did crumble where we stood. The “security” of our homes, jobs, pensions, savings and all that identified Self were grave losses that we’re struggling to recover from. Some pray themselves through their struggles…I write.

I also didn’t expect Christopher Rutherford and Uri House, President and Board Member of Broadside Press, to invite me to post OMWM onto Broadside’s website. I am forever honored, humbled and grateful to be an extension of Broadside’s legacy and to continue my journey as a Writer. I’ll forever be amazed about this writing adventure.

During our first official meeting, I asked Chris what inspired him to do so. He said it was because I reflect what Broadside has always been about, “uplifting our voice…and telling stories of the human condition.” So, tell of the human condition and lift my voice I will.

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